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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thank You

It's very hard for me to believe that I've only been writing this blog for five months. I can't imagine my life without it now! When this little online project was born, I had no idea I would correspond with so many amazing people through it. I'm touched that you often leave comments and write e-mails thanking me for my posts. But really, I should be thanking you.In the past five months, my life has transformed in almost every sense. I've gone back to work at a job that's both fulfilling and provides me with fabric money. (Who could ask for more?) Having the blog as an outlet has made me a better writer, a better thinker, and a better seamstress (if I do say so myself). Since I've quit drinking, I find that hours have opened up to me in each day. I've been asked before how I manage my time, and I seriously think sobriety is the answer, weird as that may sound. And if someone asked me how I manage my sobriety, I would probably say that blogging is the answer. So it all goes hand in hand, you see. I'm lucky to have a life filled with creativity and love.

Side story: As I've mentioned here before, I was once enrolled in a PhD program. It was a bit of a bust and I ended up dropping out after a couple years. When I left that life behind, in some ways I thought I was also leaving behind a life in which people listened to what I had to say. There were no more lectures to give, no more of the "publish or perish" mentality. I felt I was giving up the opportunity to engage in a larger dialogue in a meaningful way, as pompous as that perhaps sounds. Though I know I made the right decision, it was a bit sad for me.

Anyway, it's amazing to me that now I have all of the creative and intellectual interaction that I once longed for, in a forum (and on a topic) I never would have expected. I find myself truly shocked and extremely thankful that so many of you stop by to read what I have to say. I love that you've let me experiment with different topics and that you've opened my mind with your insightful comments. This blog has grown so much from my initial vision of it, thanks to your constant inspiration.

35 comments:

I believe that when one gives up something negative in one's life, that space is filled with a positive. I congratulate you on your sobriety. You are a beautiful and intelligent young woman who is using her talents in a manner that is fulfilling to yourself and others. These are wonderful things for which to be thankful. So "Happy Thanksgiving" to you and your family.

Love coming onto your blog everyday because in addition to being a constant source of inspiration and fabulous sewing, you are always so thoughtful, gracious and articulate in your topics and concerns. As a freelancer working from home, my visits here have quickly become my equivalent to the office 'tea-break and chat' (only better as it's always about something I'm interested in!). So thank you, Gertie for the past five months, and looking forward to the next five and beyond!

Gertie, Thank you for writing such a wonderful blog. I really enjoy seeing what you create and what you write about sewing. You've brought the sewing blog to a whole new level for me. Happy Thanksgiving!

Congratulations on your sobriety! This is an incredible story, and you are an incredible person who is making a difference in so many lives. What I love about you is that not only are you intelligent and articulate but you are very kind and sweet. You are personable. You don't look down on others. Even though your sewing skills are way above mine, you don't make me feel less than you. I love how you truly want to help others. When I email you, you respond. You are not snobby. You have also been very complimentary to me and made me feel important, too. You have been encouraging to my daughter and I, visiting our blogs and leaving positive comments. You are real. I also love your cute and fun personality. So thank, Gretchen, for being you and allowing us to be a part of your lives. You have enriched my life. I consider you one of my friends. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day. And know that I am thinking of you this day and thanking God for you.

One of the things I like most about your blog is your writing. Your blog is probably almost as important to your readers as it is to you. As one of your readers, I am happy to be a part of the dialogue.

One of the truly interesting things about the Internet is how neighborly it is. We may all be off in our little spots (and as far from the center of the fashion universe as we can be), yearning for style, glamor and elegance, surrounded by people who perhaps do not appreciate the same things and feeling pretty isolated. And all we have to do is do a little search and we find thriving communities of like minded people literally all over the world. And sometimes we even get the chance to physically meet them. I've been a sewer for almost 50 years and my sewing today is 100% better than it was 5 years ago. And five year s ago, it was 100% better than it was before the internet. All because of people like you, Gert. And for THAT, I thank YOU.

I completely agree with your comment, Toby Wollin, there can be a neighbourly feel to the internet that is lovely. What struck me recently is how similar the medium of the blog & comments is to the some of those ‘readers’ pages of old. This summer, I found a whole stash of early 30s French fashion mags (with sewing/ knitting patterns galore). Past that initial excitement, what surprised me was their readers’ pages - full of women getting in touch and communicating with each other, about fashion, sewing, themselves, etc. just like we do now through the internet. I found it funny how we look at this shiny new world thinking we've invented it all, yet generations before us were doing exactly the same thing (albeit more slowly), connecting with people they might never meet in person, yet getting to know them on a certain level and sharing experiences with them.

It's nice that such a tradition is continuing. And thank you again, Gertie, for being such a wonderful read and providing a forum where lots of lovely people get to share their experiences!

Isn't this as good, or better than, a PhD program? You get feedback, most of it constructive, on a day-by-day basis from people who like you and who don't necessarily have their own agenda. You get to work in the real world, the world of fabric and doing something. And you've got that cute guy to help you, instead of some ...okay, I have college professor friends. I probably shouldn't go there.

And I agree about this whole network of people that one wouldn't be able to meet, if it weren't for the net.

And I have someplace to hare off to after reading too much political crap. So, yeah, I'm thankful for you, also.

I discovered your blog only recently and it has quickly become a part of my daily routine. Thank you so much for taking your time to write about fashion, art and how your own personal life informs your art. I wish you the best in your sobriety and beyond,

I'm so grateful for this beautiful space that you've created here, Gertie. I know there are things that we don't agree on, but I'm grateful for you asking questions that force me to really solidify what I think. I've learned so much about sewing and I'm encouraged to keep trucking through all of your learning as well. I've made a commitment to sew as many of my own clothes as I can and to make every garment a little better than the last (the new tagline for my blog is "upping my sewing skills one seam at a time"). Without this blog, I don't know that I'd have the courage to do that. I'm kind of shocked how far that simple little goal has taken my skills since I saw that lovely pink checked version of the Parfait dress that you made in the Colette Patterns Flickr pool that brought me to your blog in the first place. I'm so grateful for everyone else's comments too. This is a blog of thinkers, I tell you, and it's really cool. I left my teaching of elementary music when I had my son 7 months ago and I miss the intellectual energy that took, so this has been such a great fill for that void.

Your story is so great too! How amazing it is to turn your addiction into something so life giving and loving. I admire you greatly.

I have to agree with k that this must be better than a PhD program, no snarky politics, heh heh. Your blog has become my favorite sewing blog. It is thoughtful, inspiring, well-written, and beautiful. Thank you for having the courage to be sober and for allowing us to enjoy your projects and goals. Sending over my heartiest best wishes and congratulations!

Thank you, Gertie, for your wonderful blog -- and congratulations on your sobriety! Your site is on my list of "must-stops" every morning -- you really have created a delightful community here, and I'm so happy to be a party of it!

Hi Gertie! I like your blog a lot, I have to thank YOU for writing it.I apreciate how you help us with all your sewing post, I started folling you just few weeks ago and I didn't know you started it five months ago, you must know you do it great, I mean, you have many many followers, this means you are doing excellent!I would like to see in video if it's possible how you sew your red coat.

I am VERY new to blogging and yours is the first of the sewing blogs I found that I really liked and which got me started myself, so a big thank you to you. I can only echo comments of other posters (esp. Nathalie). I think we're all very lucky that the changes you made in your life have led to such a positive impact in all of ours. Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh, and I'm waiting for answer on my PhD-application next week... I like to think biochemistry is like sewing: It's all about creativity and the neat details.

As I've said before, I'm quite new to your blog, but I truly see the value of Internet, the 'neighbourhood' it creates and the personality it actually allows. I appreciate how you share your life and thoughts with other people, and all the positive feedback you're getting make me looking forth to get to know your blog better (and hopefully you as well). Thank you!

With all of my sewing, knitting, and general craft mayhem, people often say things like "I don't have THAT kind of time." Hmm, what about all the hours spent in front of the TV? You substitute one activity for another. And you (and me and your readers) have been lucky enough to have found creativity and each other.

I must say that I love your blog, it is well written, you pick a variety of interesting topics that are all still related to sewing, and it's very enjoyable to read. After my first visit, I added you to my RSS feed, as I knew it was something I wanted to read daily. Please, keep up the good work :-)

Your blog is one of the highlights of my day. I love the little discussions on so many topics--sewing is just the starting point. My husband knows all about Gertie--ha! You are a very talented and interesting person and I am happy to feel like I know you.

You know what they say about a door shutting and a window opening elsewhere... Anyway, I'm really pleased for you. Thanks for posting the vintage pattern link. Thanks also for this blog. I love reading it, and now I've read all the older entries, I'm always checking to see if you've updated. Burdastyle used to be my first stop, now I come straight here! You're so inspiring, and have great taste. I also love vintage styles. Its nice that you're not afraid to point out your mistakes (skulls anyone ;p). Every time I read one of your entries I want to pull something out of my stash and try something new. Thanks again.

Congratulations on your sobriety! I had no way of knowing 10 years ago when I got sober how much the world would open for me, how many things I would learn and enjoy now that I had the time and wherewithall to do them. Sewing being one of them. This is a day to be particularly grateful. Thanks for a great blog!

There are blogs and there are blogs and sometimes a person's heart and spirt come through to you. That's what you have done on yours. Wearing your heart on your sleeve is an admirable quality in this cold world. I thank you for the inspiration and the oportunity to get to "hang out' with you for a little while each day.

Happy Thanksgiving Gertie. Thankyou for making yourself available to us for entertaining, and informational reading about one of our favorite subjects. Ofcourse it wouldn't work if you were a dry witted person, but you are cute and bubbly and funny. You give me inspiration. Your blog is the only sewing blog I read. If there are others out there I have not discovered them yet and I feel quite happy just to read yours. Your blog is right up my alley. You are very brave to jump into projects and that gives me strength to do the same.So I'm thankful for you on this Thanksgiving Day. Blogging and sewing are more fun than non sobriety, aren't they?! Been there, done that!

Aw, guys! I've started tearing up several times while reading your comments. I swear I have the best internet friends in the world. You're too sweet! I really do like hearing your feedback, so if there are certain posts you'd like to see, don't hesitate to e-mail me!

As for many others here, reading your blog has become part of my daily routine; desk, coffee and sewing/culture/intellectual discussion before 9am, every morning. I look forward to it each day and have sent it out to all my friends who also love it.

It has also totally inspired me to start sewing again and I think that has just about saved my life. Because at the moment I am in the last stages of my PhD and I can - without a doubt - say that it is the most difficult time I've ever, ever been through. In fact, most days for most of the time, it feels as if it won't ever end. Thanks to you, each day starts out a little brighter than it has for some time.

We don't do Thanksgiving here in Australia, but I'm thankful that there are inspirational women out there in the world who are talented, smart, gorgeous and generous. You are one of those.

I'm so glad you started this blog, and I have recommended it to my other sewing friends, who have loved it. You are an inspiration not only from the perspective of sewing, but also, from a taking a fresh start standpoint. Bravo to you and all that you have done here!